Assumptions

It seems like I talk about this a LOT!

But it is so central to effective problem solving it’s worth repeating.

We all make assumptions.

We can’t help it.

If we didn’t, we would never get anything done.

The question is not that you assume, but whether what you assume has any relationship to reality or not.

Which is why, when you are trying to solve a problem, assume the problem has natural as opposed to supernatural causes. 

Sure, this “natural” assumption could be wrong and your problem could have a supernatural cause. But that’s highly unlikely.

In fact, and I realize my personal experience is entirely anecdotal, but ...

In my entire life, I’ve never had a problem that turned out to be supernatural in origin. 

Crazy, right?

What this means in practical terms is that if I had assumed my problems were religious or spiritual or supernatural in nature, I would have failed to solve my problems.

So.... if you have to assume anything, start by assuming natural causation and don’t waste your time on supernatural BS.